The Massachusetts State Police trooper accused of attacking a Massachusetts man after a multi-state chase testified in a New Hampshire court that he threw punches only as "submission blows," according to WMUR 9.

Trooper Joseph Flynn, 32, of Tewksbury testified in his defense Tuesday during his trial in Hillsborough County Superior Court. The trooper, who is on paid leave, is on trial for two counts of simple assault by an on-duty officer.

Flynn is accused of beating Richard Simone Jr. after he led police on a high-speed chase from Holden, Massachusetts to Nashua, New Hampshire in May 2016.

During testimony, Flynn said he wanted to get Simone into handcuffs and restrain him when the chase ended in New Hampshire, WMUR 9 reports.

Flynn testified he was protecting the public, himself and other officers at the scene, the television station reports.

Flynn's lawyer argued the trooper believed Simone may have been armed, but the prosecution contends the trooper used excessive force because Simone got down on his hands and knees after getting out of his vehicle, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.

Former New Hampshire State Trooper Andrew Monaco testified during the trial. The former trooper previously pleaded guilty to assault charges after he admitted to striking Simone when the chase ended.

Monaco resigned from his job before taking the plea and agreed to never pursue a job in law enforcement again. The former trooper was sentenced to one year in jail with the sentence suspended with conditions.